The Experience Campus at UIC Barcelona has been admitted as a full member of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (IAUTA), the international federation that brings together universities for older adults from around the world. The university’s application was approved at the latest IAUTA Board of Directors meeting, held in Mérida (Mexico) on 4 February.

"Joining IAUTA represents a significant step forward in the international presence of the Experience Campus and the university as a whole," said Jordi Miralbell, director of the Experience Campus. This federation’s aim is to promote lifelong learning through academic exchanges, pedagogical innovation, and scientific research—crucial aspects for the inclusion and development of older adults in society.

A commitment to innovation and internationalisation

With its membership in IAUTA, UIC Barcelona now belongs to a global network that includes universities for older adults from all over the world, beyond the European framework it had already engaged with through the European Federation of Older Students in Universities (EFOS). This opens up new opportunities for the Experience Campus to collaborate and exchange knowledge with institutions in Asia, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa, where university programmes for older adults are particularly well-developed.

"Being part of IAUTA opens new doors for collaboration with universities worldwide, sharing pedagogical innovations, and contributing to the global conversation on education for older adults. It also gives UIC Barcelona greater international visibility and enables us to influence challenges and trends in this field," Miralbell added.

IAUTA membership further strengthens UIC Barcelona's role as a leader in higher education for older adults and in promoting active ageing. This initiative aligns with the university’s mission to offer high-quality education and foster the participation of all generations in academic and research life.